Search form

Search

Search form

Search

ACC position:

9/13/2010

ACC supports legislation sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, that would extend the existing regulatory system for three years. Learn more about ACC's position on chemical-plant security and CFATS here.

Related Summaries

The American Chemistry Council praised the Department of Homeland Security's decision to allow chemical plant security alternatives to the Personnel Surety Program. "DHS has allowed for the expanded use of existing federal vetting programs, specifically by recognizing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program and the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) program as viable compliance options to validate personnel security information," ACC said, adding that the DHS should also explore adopting the TWIC program for the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards.

With the law on chemical-plant security set to expire in October, the chemical industry is urging lawmakers to ease stringent measures planned for the new bill, including forcing high-risk facilities to switch to alternative chemicals. "Our track record is very, very good on this front. When we see congressional proposals that would give the Department of Homeland Security and the bureaucrats the authority to mandate certain technologies, we find that inappropriate. ... That's not in anyone's interest," said Cal Dooley, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council.

Implementing Inherently Safer Technology at chemical facilities to make them less vulnerable to terrorist attacks is not as simple as some politicians want people to believe, writes Charles T. Drevna, president of the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association. These politicians are using IST as a means to advance their political agenda instead of putting the focus on security, Drevna argues.

The full House of Representatives is set to discuss a bill aimed at improving the security of chemical facilities that are at a high risk for terrorist attacks. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has voted in favor of the legislation.

The House Energy and Environment Subcommittee voted in favor of legislation that would impose the use of "inherently safer technologies" on chemical facilities that are at "high risk" of a terrorist attack. The bill was forwarded to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for deliberation next week.